Oct 10 (AD) NFF led by former MP Wimal Weerawansa has announced that they will not contest in the upcoming General Elections either as an alliance or independently. Weerawansa stated that there is no doubt that some opposition forces serve an “imperial agenda hostile to the country in order to make Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake the second Gotabaya”. He has further highlighted that neither he nor his party will contribute to making the country more vulnerable to crisis by more..

Oct 10 (AD) Justice Murdhu Fernando has taken oath as the Acting Chief Justice before Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning. Justice Fernando is the second woman to hold the position of Chief Justice in SL’s history, after Shirani Bandaranayake in 2011. Fernando joined the Attorney General’s Dept as a state counsel, where she served for over 30 years having been promoted to senior state counsel, deputy solicitor general, additional solicitor general and senior additional solicitor general. more..

Oct 10 (TM) SL Computer Emergency Response Team (SL CERT) has reported a significant rise in complaints related to online financial fraud in 2024. Over 340 complaints involving financial scams have been received so far this year. “Up to September, we’ve received 7,210 complaints regarding online scams, with the majority of these linked to social media platforms. When we focus specifically on online-based fraud, around 20% of the complaints involve financial scams. more..

Oct 10 (NW) The Dept of Post has issued a clarification over recent reports involving stamps which contain images of PM Harini Amarasuirya and Minister Vijitha Herath. Issuing a statement, the Department said that personalised postage stamps were presented to the Prime Minister and Minister Herath who were guests of honour at the event to commemorate the World Post Day. Clarifying further, the Dept noted that it issued postage stamps under several categories, more..

Oct 10 (FT) The Sunday Times, features a news story titled Startling revelations: concerns over foreign observers’ role at polls. It quotes the heads of election observer missions from the Commonwealth and the European Union as having said that their report would go beyond election observation to the country’s political climate and human rights. It also states there was the admission that the EU Observer Mission was here to ensure that SL complied with int'l treaties more..

Oct 10 (EN) Sri Lanka is projected to grow 4.4% in 2024 as the country emerges from an economic crisis but the recovery hinges on maintaining macroeconomic stability and continuing reforms, the World Bank said. “Sri Lanka’s recent economic stabilization, market by four quarters of growth and a current account surplus in 2023 is a significant milestone,” David Sislen World Bank Regional Country Director said. more..

Oct 10 (SLN) Commander US Pacific Fleet, Admiral Stephen Koehler met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera at the Navy HQ, Colombo today. The visiting delegates received a warm welcome upon their arrival at the Navy HQ where the 4-star U.S. Navy Admiral was accorded a Guard of Honour in compliance with naval traditions. Subsequent discussions between Admiral Stephen Koehler and Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera mainly focused on rising security challenges more..

Oct 10 (DM) The NPP govt will not use state resources for the general election and that they will show it in practice this time, NPP member Lal Kantha said. "We will act exemplarily in all our political activities and election activities. We will not use state resources for election campaign. We will show it in practice this time," he said responding to a question after submitting nomination for the Kandy District. Lal kantha said the NPP is not required to launch a massive election campaign more..

Oct 10 (FT) It is with great pleasure that we observe the recent appointments made by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayaka. The appointments made so far to the Govt are on merit and of qualified, educated persons. This is indeed a positive sign to us SL citizens. Starting from the appointment of the lady prime minister. A lady who fights for women empowerment and benefits and welfare of the common man, whatever her family background is. In other words, she is for peoplism. more..

Oct 10 (PMD) Ambassador of Vietnam to SL, Her Excellency Trinh Thi Tam, paid a courtesy call on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (9). During the meeting, Ambassador Tam conveyed her congratulations on behalf of the Govt of Vietnam and expressed optimism for continued cooperation between the two nations. Vietnamese Ambassador also extended the greetings of the Vietnamese head of state, congratulating Prez Dissanayake on his more..

Oct 10 (DM) The Court of Appeal yesterday allowed Acting Controller of Emigration and Immigration to purchase “P” series ordinary passports instead of “N” series ordinary passports. The Court issued this directive after Additional Solicitor General Sumathi Dharmawardhana PC informed Court that he has been informed by the Acting Emigration and Immigration Controller that “P” series ordinary passports have to be purchased. more..

Oct 10 (TM) In response to a sudden surge in egg prices, CAA issued a stern warning to egg traders and producers, urging them to sell eggs at reasonable prices and to avoid arbitrary price increases that inconvenience consumers. Last week, eggs were sold at prices ranging from Rs. 27 to Rs. 30; however, prices have now escalated significantly, with retail costs climbing to between Rs. 34 and Rs. 45 in local markets. This sharp increase has raised concerns among consumers and more..

Oct 10 (FT) Soaring on to the global stage, Smoke & Bitters made history this week by becoming the first and only bar and restaurant in Sri Lanka to ever make the World’s 50 Best Bars list, competing with the best bars in the world from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Middle East. The extended list, representing the ultimate international guide to the world’s top bars and drinking destinations, was announced on 8 October, ranking the beloved Smoke & Bitters at 86 more..

Oct 10 (AD) Sri Lanka rejected the draft resolution which was tabled before the UNHRC seeking to extend the mandate of Resolution 51/1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. Earlier today (09), the draft resolution A/HRC/57/L.1 on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka was adopted without a vote during the ongoing 57th Regular Session of the UNHRC in Geneva. more..

Oct 10 (Island) The SLAF will officially take delivery of Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft, donated by the United States at the Katunayake airbase. The US Embassy in Colombo said that funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Building Partner Capacity programme was part of a long-term collaboration with the SL Air Force. “This advanced aircraft is designed to enhance SL’s capabilities in search and rescue operations, drug interdiction, and combating trafficking and smuggling. more..

Oct 10 (PMD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a key meeting today with senior officials from both the SL Customs Department and the Inland Revenue Department at the Presidential Secretariat today (9). The discussions centered on strategies to enhance revenue generation and improve operational efficiency within both departments, in line with the govt’s broader economic mandate. During the meeting, officials from both departments presented the challenges they face in more..

Oct 10 (BBC) The UK has offered dozens of stranded migrants, held for years in a camp on a secretive UK-US military island in the Indian Ocean, a temporary move to Romania. After six months, they could be moved to the UK. Others in the group are being offered financial incentives to go to Sri Lanka where they say they face persecution, the BBC has learned. In 2021, dozens of Tamils became the first people ever to claim asylum on Diego Garcia after their boat ran into trouble. more..

Oct 10 (DM) Amid the growing concerns about the dumping of chemically refined oil labelled as coconut oil in the local market, the govt is urged to establish a transparent mechanism to differentiate chemically refined oil from natural coconut oil. All Ceylon Traditional Coconut Oil Manufacturers Association (ACTCOMA) reported that 80,000 metric tonnes of processed oil, derived from refining, bleaching and deodorising (RBD), have entered the market and are being sold as coconut oil, more..

Oct 10 (DN) “With the internal chaos and fragmentation within the opposing parties, we believe that it will present the NPP with a clear path to victory,” JVP Secretary Tilvin Silva said. Speaking at the Party HQ during the submission of district nominations for the next Parliamentary Election yesterday he further stressed, “In order to rebuild this nation, NPP has presented a highly balanced and strong list of candidates representing more..

Oct 10 (TM) The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Homicide and Organised Crime Investigation Division of the CID reported yesterday that journalist Tharindu Jayawardhana is allegedly obstructing the investigation related to a complaint made by retired DIG Palitha Siriwardena against former Senior DIG and incumbent Public Security Ministry Secretary Ravi Seneviratne concerning the Easter Sunday attacks. During proceedings at the Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court, more..

Oct 10 (Island) Sri Lanka have thrown open the doors for Bhanuka Rajapaksa, recalling him to the squad after more than 20 months in the wilderness. The hard-hitting southpaw was benched post the Indian tour in early 2023, and despite being on the radar for the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, he missed out, relegated to the role of traveling reserve. Rajapaksa’s ability to clear the ropes in crunch time swayed the national selectors to pull him back into the fray. more..

Oct 10 (Reuters) Ratan Tata, the former Tata Group chairman who put a staid and sprawling Indian conglomerate on the global stage with a string of high-profile acquisitions, has died, the Tata Group said in a statement late on Wednesday. He was 86. Tata, who ran the conglomerate for more than 20 years as chairman, had been undergoing intensive care in a Mumbai hospital, two sources with direct knowledge of his medical situation told Reuters earlier on Wednesday. more..

Oct 10 (ST) The historic Prince of Wales fountain in Kandy, built to commemorate the visit, in 1875, of Prince Albert Edward of Wales, eldest son of Queen Victoria, was recently damaged as it was used to bathe elephants, and has been repaired by the Basnayake Nilame of the Pattini Devale Hemantha Herath. The monument comes under the purview of the Kandy Municipality and was once restored by former Mayor Mahendra Ratwatte. Basnayake Nilame had one of the cherubs in the fountain more..

Oct 10 (FT) Fitch Ratings said SL authorities’ confirmation in endorsing the targets set under the country’s IMF program and intent to implement debt restructuring based on the terms agreed with international sovereign bondholders (ISB) in September, reduces risks to the debt treatment process associated with the outcome of the Presidential election on 21 Sept. It said that the election of Anura Kumara Dissanayake, more..

Oct 10 (DN) The 17-year-old National champion Ranitma Liyanage has qualified for the round of 16 in the women’s singles category of the World Junior Badminton Championship which is now in progress in Nanchen, China. In fact this is great achievement as It was the first time a SL player qualified for the last 16 of the World Junior Badminton Championship. In the last 16, she will take on China’s Xu Wenjin, one of Asia’s best young players, hoping to qualify for the quarter-finals. more..

Oct 10 (DM) Colombo Fort Magistrate's Court issued a warrant for the arrest of BBS General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera for not being present in Court in connection with a case filed against him. In this case, the prosecution alleged that Gnanasara Thera had allegedly made a hate speech by insulting the religious beliefs of the Muslim community on April 12, 2014 near the Slave Island police station. When the matter was taken up before Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali, more..

Oct 10 (CI) On a slightly cooler evening in Dubai, with semi-final qualification hopes in the balance, India brought their A-game to the fore to thrash SL in the T20 World Cup. They put on their best batting show - perhaps the best among all teams in the tournament so far - and then were clinical with the ball and on the field to send the Asia Cup champions packing from the tournament. Batting first, India rode on half-centuries from more..

Oct 10 (FT) Parliamentary representation of minority ethnic and religious groups is in danger of splintering and weakening in the forthcoming elections, affecting their capacity to effectively politically engage and promote the rights of minorities, a new European Commission funded research project reveals. Major national parties such as UNP, SJB, and SLPP have successively reduced the space within their parties for minorities to participate and raise their issues; more..

Oct 10 (DN) SL’s rugby icon Priyantha Ekanayake, a double international and former all-around sports star from St. Anthony’s College, Katugastota, has been appointed Chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC). Ekanayake, who previously served on the Council in 2019, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Ekanayake is one of SL’s most celebrated rugby players, having represented CH & FC, captained CR & FC, Kandy Sports Club & national team as a second row forward more..

Oct 10 (FT) Young business leader Sarath Ganegoda has been appointed the new Chairman of SriLankan Airlines. A new Board of Directors has been appointed as well. Ganegoda replaces business leader Ashok Pathirage who served as Chairman of the national carrier since Dec 2019. Ganegoda serves as an Executive Director of the Hayleys Board following his appointment into the Group Management Committee in July 2007 and the Board in September 2009. more..

Oct 10 (FT) The Advocata Institute has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his election as the Executive Prez of SL. In a message addressed to the Prez, Advocata Institute Chairman Murtaza Jafferjee & CEO Dhananath Fernando acknowledged the trust and confidence placed in President Dissanayake by the people of SL. They expressed optimism that his leadership will guide the country towards a more prosperous and equitable future. more..